Bairstow's position in the team adds crucial balance to England's batting line-up, given he has averaged 39.77 in 45 Tests since debuting in 2012.

The blow threatened to add to a horror opening fortnight for England, who had already lost paceman Steve Finn for the tour due to a knee injury. Fellow quick Jake Ball (ankle) is racing the clock to be fit for the Gabba Test.

It's also unclear whether Ben Stokes will join the group amid the ongoing the investigation into an alleged brawl in September in a Bristol street.

In better news for England, opening bowler James Anderson returned to training on Wednesday after missing practice on Tuesday through illness.